Licensed Practical Nurse (Ambulatory Care)

About the position

The Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Nursing Ambulatory Care. The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) GS-7 is responsible for goals and interventions that promote Veterans in attaining maximum functional potential. In the Veterans Health Resource Center, the LPN-7 serves as a specialist offering staff, Veterans, families and caregivers' education, training, and assistance relevant to virtual care tools/technology.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates independent technical knowledge and skills that are complex in nature and contribute to the treatment plan and support the successful completion of the telehealth visit.
• Independently provides day to day operations under general supervision to ensure Telehealth VHRC collaborates with facility and clinical leaders to determine priorities and clarify strategic direction and goals.
• Provides administrative support for scheduling and training, including for VA Video Connect visits.
• Acts as a coach to clinical teams integrating virtual health tools/technology into their workflow.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatment according to established policies/procedures.
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in Veteran condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting deviations from normal to the RN or provider.
• Uses treatment modalities and implements appropriate practices and procedures with complex patients.
• Implements interventions to improve, restore or maintain the optimal function of the Veteran.
• Contributes to the development of the plan of care for assigned Veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy as changes occur.
• Accurately and consistently reports and records significant Veteran information received from other team members and can analyze and implement modifications based on these reports.
• Encourages and communicates with challenging psychosocial and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning.
• Works independently without need for readily available supervision and communicates effectively with the Veteran, families, caregivers, professionals and other supportive staff.
• Supports the team in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing staff or non-medical staff to ensure safe patient care delivery.
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs across the health care system in telehealth modalities.
• Assists the mobile telehealth program, providing vaccines and/or lab draws as needed.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Holds a current, full, active and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing that was approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission, NLNAC).

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in telehealth, teaching telehealth technology and virtual tools.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Childcare subsidy for eligible employees after 60 days of employment.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance.